Over $3.2 Million Approved in the First Month of Disaster Assistance
Release Date: October 24, 2007
Release Number: 1729-022
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Nearly $3.2 million in disaster assistance has been approved in the first month since President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for six Illinois counties according to officials with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Over 1,384 households in the federally declared disaster counties of DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Lake, LaSalle and Will have applied for assistance. Individuals may register for assistance online at www.fema.gov anytime or by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Applicants may also call to check on their status or update their applications.
Over $2.8 million in financial assistance has been approved for Illinois residents under the Individuals and Households Program. This assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing; the repair of disaster-damaged homes and for serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. Home inspections total 1,142 in the first month of the disaster declaration.
As of Oct.23, the SBA has approved $456,600, issued 1,019 home and 115 business loan applications. SBA officials encourage anyone who has received an application from the SBA to turn it in as soon as possible in order to be eligible for any further assistance.
SBA can provide low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of any size for property losses not fully covered by insurance. In addition, small businesses may receive loans to help provide working capital funds to recover from the disaster's economic impact.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 24-Oct-2007 16:01:49